Please note that the "Imagining Toronto's Past" Heritage Toronto Walk for this Saturday, September 20th has been cancelled. 

In the meantime, please download the Consolation Audio Walking Tour to take your own tour or join us this Sunday, September 21st for our tour of the Wellington Place Neighbourhood:

Toronto's important roles since its founding in 1793 are reflected in this vibrant downtown neighbourhood - evidence of our military past, Victorian residences, and buildings from the era as a diverse manufacturing centre. See how the area has successfully adapted to 200 years of changes.

LEADER: Marta O'Brien
START POINT: NE corner of Victoria Memorial Square, Wellington St W at Portland St, just E of Bathurst
FINISH POINT: Bathurst and Adelaide Streets
LENGTH: Approx. 2 hours
FOCUS: Architectural, historical
DIFFICULTY: Average walk on sidewalks

We hope you'll join us this weekend for two exceptional walks:

Saturday, September 6
Spadina: The Story of an Estate & Its Neighbourhood

In 1866, James Austin built a new house on the foundations of an earlier Baldwin family home. Over the next 140 years Casa Loma was built and an expressway almost went under Austin's house. Explore the grounds and neighbourhood of Austin's estate on this outdoor tour.

LEADERS: Spadina Museum
START POINT: Main front gate of Spadina, 285 Spadina Rd, east of Casa Loma
FINISH POINT: Same as start point
LENGTH: Approx. 1 ½ hours
FOCUS: Historical, architectural
DIFFICULTY: Average walk on sidewalks and grass, some rough ground and slopes

Sunday, September 7 - 1:30 PM
The Guild Inn Gardens

Explore the grounds of this former estate and arts centre. Hear stories of its owners and resident artists and learn about the architectural artifacts from Toronto buildings that grace its gardens.

Please join us for our two weekend walks:

Cabbagetown People: Discoveries of Remarkable Lives
Saturday, August 16 - 1:30pm

Since its beginnings in the 1830s as an immigrant reception neighbourhood, Cabbagetown has been home to an amazing group of personalities. Hear the stories of some of those that have been active in the arts and sciences, politics, business, architecture and social movements.

Leaders: Cabbagetown Preservation Association
Start Point: NE corner of Parliament and Winchester Streets
Finish Point: Parliament St and Lancaster Ave
Length: Approx. 1 ½ to 2 hours
Walk Difficulty: park grounds and average walk on sidewalks

The Royal Alexandra Theatre and Its Neighbourhood
Sunday, August 17 - 11:00am

The Royal Alexandra Theatre, anchor of the Theatre District, celebrated its 100th birthday in 2007. Hear the story of the theatre and explore the multi-layered history of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Saturday, August 9 - 1:30 PM
Lambton Mills

The Village of Lambton Mills grew up around the mills established in the early 1800s where Dundas Street crossed the Humber River, an excellent source of water power. The village continued to thrive until 1915 when a spring flood, and later fire, destroyed many of the buildings.

LEADER: Madeleine McDowell
START POINT: Dundas St W and Runnymede Rd
FINISH POINT: Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St on the east bank of the Humber River
LENGTH: Approx. 2 hours
FOCUS: Historical, architectural, natural
DIFFICULTY: Average walk on sidewalks, some hills

Sunday, August 10 - 1:00 PM NEW
African-Canadian Women in Early Toronto

Hear the stories of African-Canadian women who resisted their enslavement in the days when some Toronto residents had slaves, as well as later women who worked to assist fugitive slaves from the U.S. and bring about the abolition of slavery south of the border.

Saturday, July 26 - 1:30 PM
Bâby Point: 10,000 Years of History

Explore some of Toronto's First Nations and French history with this tour of the area named after the estate of James Bâby, an early French settler. Hear about the Seneca village of Teiaiagon, the Carrying Place trail and the first French fort in what is now Toronto. Tours will be offered in English and French.

LEADERS: La Société d'histoire de Toronto
START POINT: SW corner of Jane St and Bâby Point Rd/Annette St
FINISH POINT: Near Old Mill Subway Station
LENGTH: Approx. 2 - 2 ½ hours
FOCUS: Historical, natural, architectural
DIFFICULTY: Long walk with slopes, many stairs and some rough ground

Sunday, July 27 - 1:00 PM
In The Footsteps of Black Victorians

In the 19th century, Toronto was a centre of antislavery organizations and Black cultural and political activities. Hear about the men and women of the community as we visit some of the sites known to them.

Please join us for this weekend's walks, which include some special guests!

Also, please visit our Walks Photo Gallery to see photos from last weekend's walk though the University of Toronto's downtown campus by our fabulous Photo Editor, Olena Sullivan.

Saturday, July 19 - 1:30 PM
The Goulding Estate
With Honourary Host Councillor Janet Davis

The Goulding Estate is the last surviving structure of the Dentonia Park Farm, where the Massey family helped pioneer pasteurization in dairy farming. The surrounding green space boasts some of the largest oaks to be seen along Taylor-Massey Creek and is home to both serious environmental challenges and several restoration projects.

Please join us for a lovely weekend of walks:

Saturday, July 12 - 1:30 PM

The Queen's Park Stroll

Discover the history of our provincial Legislative Building and the fascinating monuments that surround it. Free 30 minute tours of the interior of the Legislature are available before and after the tour of the grounds at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Call 416-325-7500 to enquire about interior tours.

LEADERS: Legislative Assembly Staff
START POINT: Front steps of the Legislative Building, N of Queen's Park Subway Station
FINISH POINT: East entrance of Legislative Building
LENGTH: Approx. 1 ½ hours
FOCUS: Historical, architectural
DIFFICULTY: Easy walk over some small slopes and lawn

Sunday, July 13 - 11:00 AM

The University of Toronto - Downtown Campus

The University of Toronto traces its roots back to King's College, an Anglican college established in 1827. Explore the early history of Canada's largest university and the eclectic collection of buildings that help illustrate its past.

The remainder of our 2008 Walks Schedule has now been posted here, with new walks including Fort York, the Toronto Islands and an Exhibition Ghost Walk! We hope you'll join us and explore many of Toronto's neighbourhoods and sites - for free!

The last of our Spring walks this weekend are below, before the Canada Day long weekend.

Hope to see you this summer!

Saturday, June 28 - 1:30 PM
NEW
Riverdale Homes and People

Explore an old and historically significant neighbourhood. Hear stories about life east of the Don River: the oldest house; homes of the wealthy, gardeners, merchants and clerks; recreation and incarceration.

LEADER: Gerald Whyte, Riverdale Historical Society
START POINT: Historic Don Jail, NW corner of Broadview and Gerrard Streets
FINISH POINT: Broadview St and Riverdale Ave
LENGTH: Approx. 1 ½ hours
FOCUS: Historical, architectural
DIFFICULTY: Average walk on sidewalks, some park grounds